Name released of hatchet-wielding man shot, killed by deputies in Highland

San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed Eric Paul Andrews, 25, who allegedly attempted to attack them with a hatchet at Victoria Ave. and Pacific St. in Highland on Wednesday. The officers were responding to a call of two men fighting in the street. (Photo by Rick Sforza/The Sun)

HIGHLAND >> Coroner officials released the name of the Highland man fatally shot by deputies in a Wednesday morning confrontation.

Eric Paul Andrews, 25, was pronounced dead at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda at 10:12 a.m., according to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s office.

Court records show this isn’t the first time Andrews has had run-in’s with the law.

In March 2007, Andrews pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a deadly weapon. After violating his probation several times, court records revealed Andrews was ordered to complete his sentence of three years in confinement. The court recommended he serve his sentence at Patton State hospital.

State officials would not acknowledge if Andrews was ever a patient in the state hospital system.

“I am bound by federal and state laws,” spokesman Ralph Montano said. “I’m not able to acknowledge a patient status, current or otherwise.”

Montano said the laws even bind acknowledgement after someone has died.

“Around 9:20 a.m., several people called 9-1-1 to report two men fighting” in the 6800 block of Victoria Avenue, sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said.

Deputies found Andrews standing over the victim who had been moderately injured by a sharp object, she said.

Sheriff’s officials said the victim who Andrews was allegedly attacking was treated at the hospital for his injuries and released.

A woman who asked to remain anonymous in fear of retaliation, said she watched the two men battling in the street, but didn’t call police because other people were on the side of the road using their phones.

“I had my kids in the car,” she said. “I wasn’t going to endanger my children to stop and call 9-1-1. I just thought those other people were calling for help.”

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Sheriff’s officials said the investigation is ongoing, but did confirm the sharp object was a machete.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Sgt. Trevis Newport or Detective Daniel Hanke at 909-387-3589.